If you have a sprinkler system leaking—or are worried about a leak occurring in the future—then you might be wondering what causes these types of problems. After all, here in North Texas, an optimally functioning sprinkler system is absolutely vital. Without the right amount of water, your lawn and landscape will quickly begin to struggle.
The fact is, it’s not enough to just have a sprinkler system—you also want it to be working its best.
For that reason, we’re exploring some of the common reasons why a sprinkler system might be leaking. We see a variety of different types of leaks and want you to be best prepared in terms of what to expect.
There are a number of reasons why a leak may be occurring and without a proper inspection, an exact diagnosis can’t necessarily be made. But some sprinkler system leaks are more obvious than others.
Let’s look at some of the more common scenarios.
One of the most common reasons for a leak is a broken sprinkler head. These are usually the easiest problems to spot. 
If a sprinkler head becomes cracked or broken, it’s going to cause spurts of water or puddles around it. Sprinkler heads can get damaged by mowers and vehicles, by someone accidentally stepping on the head — or, if it’s an old system, simply from age. A broken sprinkler head will need to be replaced so that your system can return to normal function.
A line break is another common sprinkler system leak.
You could have a break in a main or “constant pressure” line or you could have a break in a lateral line. The main line is the pipe that sends the pressurized water from the source to the lateral zone valves which when activated, supply water to the sprinkler heads.
Line breaks can become nicked or cracked for various reasons. Perhaps you were digging in a plant bed and forgot the line was there. Or, the underground piping might have shifted as the ground moved or as tree roots became entangled with it.
The first thing that you need to do is determine if you have a break in the main line or a lateral line.
If you have a break in a main line, you’ll see water pooling on your property both when the system is running and shut off. However, if you have a lateral line break, you will only see pooling when the system is off.
If you find yourself asking, why does my sprinkler leak water when the system is turned off? this could be the reason.
Another common problem is when the sprinkler valve leaks when running. This can be a small and steady trickle that just doesn’t stop. Valves can break down over time, which could be the cause behind this type of issue.
But it’s also worth mentioning that most irrigation systems are designed to run at 50 PSI (pounds per square inch, the force at which water enters the system). However, many of the cities here in Northern Texas meter the water at over 100 PSI. This is a key reason why we see a lot of valve leaks here.
If you suspect that you are in need of a sprinkler system leak repair, then you want to find an irrigation company that you can trust will get your system back to optimal functioning. After all, water is absolutely essential for a thriving landscape here in North Texas.
But even better, instead of waiting until there's a serious issue, we’d recommend that you sign up for ongoing maintenance of your sprinkler system. Regular system checks can help prevent problems and ultimately even save you money by fixing minor issues before they become major ones.
At Grassperson, our irrigation maintenance services are part of our Total Maintenance Package, which will cover many of your property needs. This removes the hassles and headaches from your end. After all, we recognize you don’t really have the time to be going around and trying to figure out where a leak is coming from. You just want to know that your sprinkler system is functioning at its best so that you can continue to get the best results.
That comes down to choosing a company that knows their stuff and can take over all of your needs. By choosing this particular package, you can let go of many of the worries associated with your landscape, including watering and get back to simply enjoying your property to the fullest.
Stop worrying about your irrigation needs and leave it up to a pro who knows exactly what your Northern Texas property needs. Get a Free Quote, then you can enjoy the best property on the block!
